I'll be going to Palermo, Sicily this Friday, and will make my way towards Malta later in the week.

Can anyone recommend a relaxing place to stay in Sicily (in November)? While I'd like to do some sight-seeing, I'd like to be based in a calm, greenish, place, with some access to activities (eg horse riding, hiking, swimming [?])...

Many thanks in advance

I've always wanted to go to Sant'Angelo Muxaro, near Agrigento:

http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/co...elomuxaro.html

In previous research about Sicilia I've often come across many horseback riding ranches, generally southwest of Palermo and often in the Madonie mountains. You could probably find them if you did a google search for "horseback riding Sicily" and even "cowboy horse ranch sicily" since some of these places have a "wrangler" theme.

I think it is already too cold to swim in Sicily.

Buon viaggio!

Here's the website places to stay and things to do in Sant'Angelo Muxaro. Careful where you open it. It has sounds.

http://www.valdikam.it/en/valdikam.htm

Thanks ness (for tip and heads up) - looks amazing! This is the sort of thing I meant ... will check it out in further detail and let you know what we wind up doing!

(I guess i knew swimming was out, but hoped against all logic...)

Try Donalegge in the Madonie Mountains. No cost to reserve on i-escape.com. Beautiful countryside/horseback riding nearby.

I know there's horse back riding and facilities/accommodation on Mount Etna itself.
Here's some riding establishment information:
Horseback Excursions
(Cavallo)

Antica Cavaleria Rusticana
C/o Azienda Casentino
C. da Olivo S. Cataldo 95
Mineo
Tel: 338 338 4945
333 810 159 98

Associazione Asilandia
Mondo degli asini
Brian Gym, Donkey riding trecks
Contrada Miscerello Aranci
Milo
Tel: 333 527 59 20
333 92 900 42

Centro Equeste Equites Maenarum
Via Sottocastello 7
Mineo
Tel: 0933 9814 15
339 75 24 3 88
339 61 50 8 68
www.sikaniahorse.it

Centro G.E.A Sanconese
Via San Giuseppe 61
San Cono
Tel 0933 97 08 8 83
339 62 06 2 83
www.geasanconese.it

Centro Ippico Amico del Cavallo
Via Gramisci 27
Misterbianco
(also arrange 5 day itinerary on horseback to visit all sides of the volcano)
Tel: 095 461 8 82 / 328 78 59 4 79
www.amicodelcavallo.com

Equiclub Randazzo
Via Monteguardia 15
Randazzo
(organises 5-day itinerary on horseback to visit all sides of the volcano)
Tel: 349 3251011

Alessandro Sciacca
Via Pres 7
Giarre
Tel: 095 958216